“What characterizes war, it’s a battle of will and magic bullets don’t exist. There is certainly a need for precision and really high-end weapon systems, but there’s also a need for mass, relatively inexpensive weapon systems.” Australian Maj. Gen. Vagg told Breaking Defence.

Maj. Gen. Richard Vagg spoke with Breaking Defence during the 2024 AUSA conference. (Australian Army)

WASHINGTON — America’s largest defence conference, the annual gathering of the Association of the US Army, brings in a reliable international presence for the conference, including a sizeable contingent from Australia. Among the top officials making the trip to Washington for the conference was Australian Army Maj. Gen. Richard Vagg, the service’s head of Land Capability, a role that sees him provide acquisition requirements for the service.

Vagg, who was the top military officer on Australia’s recent Defence Strategic Review, talked with Breaking Defence on the sidelines of the conference. Among the topics discussed: lessons of Ukrainian artillery, Boxer troop carrier production, the future of the Tiger ARH helicopter, the new Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle and more.

The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Breaking Defence: Let’s start with Boxer. How is that program progressing? 

MAJ. GEN. RICHARD VAGG: As you know, we’ve got our Block One vehicles in service now. We took delivery of the first Australian-built Boxer in July and we are working with the company (Rheinmetall Defence Australia) to work out what the drum beat of vehicles is going to be. … We’re expecting to receive the Boxer between now and 2028, 2029, over that period. 211 vehicles in total will be our Boxer fleet. Plus the 100 vehicles that we’re doing the government-to-government deal back into Germany with. [Australia is also building 100 Boxers to be exported to Germany.]

How many are you expecting to have by the end of the year?

I’m not sure at this stage.

Are you comfortable with everything being on track with Initial Operating Capability and Full Operating Capability?

I’m comfortable. We know we’ve got a really good capability.

What about the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles, made by Hanwha in Australia. I know it’s still early days, but how are you feeling about that? Any hiccups you’re seeing early?

No, we’re really pleased, actually, with the relationship that we’ve developed with Hanwha … You know, they’ve recently opened what’s called the Hanwha Armoured Centre of Excellence down in Geelong. That was opened ahead of time, below budget. So, all the indicators are there — like the facilities and building a factory is generally pretty difficult. So, enjoying working with Hanwha and they’ve really established themselves in Australia.

How’s that relationship developing? Hanwha has just kind of blown up the last couple of years in Australia, in a good way.

It’s been a really good relationship. It’s early days, yeah, so I don’t want to sit here and say it’s [always] going to be awesome, but all the indicators are really positive … What we hope is that actually establishes an ability to build an export base from Australia. If Hanwha can manage that, that would be really powerful.

What’s the plan for aviation as you bring down the Tiger ARH helicopters?

As you may well know, we’re replacing our Tiger fleet with AH-64 Apaches. So we expect to receive our first Apaches by Q4 next year. We’ll manage the phase out of the ARH capability Tiger with the introduction in the service of the Apaches. It’s important that we maintain that capability, and the way we’ll do that is, we currently have our attack aviation capability in Darwin. Apache will be delivered into Townsville. So, one aviation regiment will move from Darwin to Townsville, and as we introduce Apache, work up to an IOC capability, we’ll close down Darwin and the capability with Tiger.

What happens then to the Tigers?

We will provide options for government in terms of what they want us to do with Tiger, when it comes out of service — everything from contributing to the global supply fleet, there may be gifting options there. It’s probably too early to tell at this stage, and that’ll be a government decision.

Is there any military value in mothballing them, or does that just not make any sense for you?

Cost of ownership becomes problematic for us. It’s a really technical airframe here. It’s effectively, I don’t think it’s the technical term, but it’s like software defined radios. It’s a software defined air system. It’s not something you just lock in the shed and then roll it out at a later date.

You’re an artillery guy by training. Are there lessons that are coming out of Ukraine and to a lesser extent Gaza that you feel are being successfully incorporated into your planning, or is there not as much relevance to those takeaways, because it’s such a different situation in Australia?

There are some really strong lessons that are coming out of out of all those theatres you’ve mentioned. And I think it underpins that what characterizes war, it’s a battle of will and magic bullets don’t exist. There is certainly a need for precision and really high-end weapon systems, but there’s also a need for mass, relatively inexpensive weapon systems.

A few years ago, people were starting to draw down their stocks. Now you can’t buy 155 [shells] in the world, and we can’t produce enough 155s. You can’t produce enough propellant or explosive fill for those types of systems now. So, I think some of those hard learned lessons from last conflicts are definitely coming forward in terms of us drawing those lessons into our theatre, the Indo-Pacific, of what it means for us.

We as an army, need to be prepared to conduct close combat. And we need to have all the capabilities that come with close combat.

You mentioned 155s. How important is it for Australia to get a domestic capability for insensitive explosives?

I think our government’s been really clear. You just look at the investment they put into guided weapons and explosive ordnance in Australia. Air Marshal Leon Phillips is the chief of our Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordinance, very active in terms of establishing domestic capabilities. And look at some of the announcements that have been made recently in terms of the domestic production of NSM in Australia. I know we’re looking at 155; it’ll be crawl, walk, run. I don’t need to say it’s important — I think the government’s actions, the amount of money and effort they’ve invested in that area makes that pretty clear.

What about solid rocket motor production?

Again, that’s part of that ecosystem the GWEO group is starting to develop. We know some of the rate limiting factors to some of our long-range strike capabilities is access to motors.

So that’s something you think is important to have domestic production of?

Bloody oath it does. And I think there’s an active request for information with industry in terms of that capability being introduced into Australia, and how industry will go about dealing with that.

Obviously, AUKUS is the biggest military modernization effort facing Australia. Are you at all concerned or seeing signs at all that some land projects or land modernization efforts might get delayed, pushed back, underfunded because that money is needed to go towards AUKUS instead? 

No, and I’m cautious in doing that. Our National Defence Strategy and our Integrated Investment Program have looked across our force structure and have prioritized capabilities and investment in capabilities to have an integrated force, and we’re quite clear about not having an overly weighted force in one area. It’s about an integrated force, and an integrated force is one where the five domains are thought about and integrated before they hit the objective. An integrated force is about combining and integrating those effects well before the objective, and much like a stool, once you remove one of those legs, it becomes uneven and wobbly.

So, probably a long explanation, but you know, we’ve made some very, very considered decisions about our investment plans from a ADF perspective and are quite comfortable where we’re sitting in terms of our land projects.

Picture: An armed reconnaissance ‘Tiger’ helicopter from the 1st Aviation Regiment fires a Hellfire missile during Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022. (Australian Ministry of Defence)

Defence Connect – David Hollingworth

Vasey RSL Care wants government to meet it halfway to support homeless veterans – but Labor is ignoring its request.

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide went to great lengths to navigate the depth and intricacies of the problems facing ex-Defence personnel.

The executive summary alone is a weighty document, numbering almost 320 pages, and in its opening paragraphs reveals the scale of the effort undertaken: oral evidence from more than 340 witnesses and more than 60 lived witness experiences; 12 public hearings held over 100 days; 897 private, one-on-one sessions with people who have experienced the impact of suicide or lived with suicidality; and 5,865 submissions from current ex-ADF members, their carers and families and friends.

Which, sadly, adds up to even more – and even more tragic – numbers. Veterans are more than twice as likely to die by suicide than the rest of the Australian population. They’re also nearly three times more likely to experience homelessness, and that sense of abandonment only feeds into the suicide crisis facing our veterans.

The V Centre Veteran Empowerment Program, run in Victoria by not-for-profit Vasey RSL Care, wants to do something about the homelessness problem, but so far, it’s been used as a political crutch by the government and then left to fend for itself.

Giving veterans hope

The V Centre was established in Ivanhoe, Victoria, in February 2024, and boasts 16 complete apartments, three studios, communal kitchen and living spaces, and outdoor areas and places for quiet contemplation. An attached support hub provides IT services, consultation and therapy rooms, rec rooms, and other spaces.

The V Centre Veteran Empowerment Program operates out of The V Centre and offers programs to help empower veterans with the social skills they need to transition into a new and stable phase of their lives outside the defence force.

Setting up The V Centre cost Vasey RSL Care $12 million, and it had hopes that the government would front up a similar investment over the next three years. Vasey RSL Care estimates the total savings from its program as being more than $18 million in that three-year time frame, a worthwhile investment considering those savings also represent human lives.

Matt Keogh, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, certainly seemed to buy into the idea.

“I’ve been very pleased to meet with Vasey RSL Care from Victoria with the member for Jagajaga, who brought to my attention the important work they are trying to do in establishing new services to support veterans experiencing homelessness,” Keogh said in August 2023, speaking to a matter of public importance.

“They also want to be able to come forward and apply for funds from government, but we can’t enable that right now, because the Housing Australia Future Fund is being blocked by the Coalition and the Greens.”

So, at that point, it was the Greens blocking the government being able to support The V Centre.

Kate Thwaites, the member for Jagajaga and the Assistant Minister for Social Security, Ageing and Women, said a month later that the Housing Australia Future Fund “will also mean more homes for veterans at risk of homelessness and for services like Vasey RSL Care, which is doing brilliant work at The V Centre just next to Heidelberg Repat supporting veterans and their families but which could do even more with the right support from this fund”.

So, it was a love fest all around, and if it weren’t for those dastardly Greens, we’d be helping Vasey RSL Care right now.

Taking hope away

However, at the time, Vasey RSL Care was helping the government get its legislation through, working with both the crossbench and the opposition to get it passed. Once passed, however, the promises dried up. Vasey RSL Care was told that since it was already operating, it was no longer eligible for government assistance, despite the promises written into Hansard.

According to Janna Voloshin, chief executive officer at Vasey RSL Care, “We cannot sit around waiting for funding.”

“Enough is enough – last month, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide handed down its final report and recommendations. We are fully supportive of the recommendations, in particular, Recommendation 88a – ‘improving outcomes for veterans who are experiencing homelessness, including a long-term investment framework that supports capital and operational expenditure for veteran-specific housing and the provision of wraparound services’. We are here – we are doing this – we are saving lives. But we can’t go on doing it without government support.”

Which seems a fair thing to say – the lack of support for veterans, which in turn has led to the horrific suicide figures among our current and ex-Defence personnel, is a government problem to fix.

Defence Connect put this proposition directly to Minister Keogh, and to call the response underwhelming is … putting it politely.

“The rate of veteran suicide is a national tragedy, and that’s why Labor supported the establishment of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide in opposition,” Keogh said in response to Vasey RSL Care’s claims.

“Now, some three years and thousands of submissions later, the final report has now been delivered to the government.

“The report is an important body of work, which marks the culmination of the most significant and comprehensive inquiry conducted into suicide and suicidality in the Defence and veteran communities.”

The minister went on to talk about the government response, the comprehensive nature of the royal commission’s report, and… Failed to actually address Vasey RSL Care’s concerns over a lack of funding.

Not at all good enough

Defence Connect spoke to a Vasey RSL spokesperson and while it was impossible to coordinate commentary from Voloshin, its CEO, it was clear that Minister Keogh’s response – or lack thereof – was not particularly welcome nor constructive.

“While the royal commission’s role in listening to the concerns of the veteran community and making recommendations is crucial, we must remember that it took three years to reach this point. Following the government’s response, we may face several more years of implementation. In the meantime, veterans are waiting, and we continue to lose lives,” Voloshin told Defence Connect.

“At Vasey RSL Care, we have experienced these issues firsthand and chose not to wait for solutions to be formulated. Based on national and international research, extensive engagement with the ex-service community (including over 500 surveys and focus groups), we developed the model for The V Centre,” Voloshin said.

“While the royal commission was in process, we actively worked on a solution that we knew was necessary and since 2022, we have engaged with the government to ensure they were aware of this initiative.”

The V Centre and its accompanying veteran empowerment program are in operation now, and it’s already making a difference. A real difference to real veterans who need that support.

“The V Centre has just transformed me,” Shane Reynolds, who attended The V Centre, said of the program.

“It’s just amazing the things that I’ve done that I’ve never done before – my painting, my art … I’ve become a productive person again.

“I found through my art that I released a lot of my traumas. If it wasn’t for V, I don’t know where I’d be.”

It’s clear that Vasey RSL Care has a program that works – and it could do so much more with just a bit of support from the government.

“Previously, we relied on research to identify what was needed,” Voloshin said.

“Today, The V Centre has been operational for six months, demonstrating significant positive outcomes for veterans and giving us real-life examples of the impact a service like this can have.

“We urge the government to respond now with financial support for The V Centre, even if only in the short-term, until a comprehensive solution is established. Vasey RSL Care is only asking for three years of support from the government for an already well-researched model operating as a pilot study that can be thoroughly evaluated as to the benefit it has to veterans.”

Picture supplied by Families of Veterans Guild

Today is War Widows Day the 19 October, the Families of Veterans Guild is urging Australians to honour and support over 32,000 war widows across the nation, acknowledging their sacrifices and addressing the issue of social isolation that so many of them face. While War Widows Day commemorates the immense contribution these women have made, it also serves as a reminder that more needs to be done by both the government and society to support the families of veterans.

Data from the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey reveals that loneliness is a major challenge for individuals after the death of a spouse, underscoring the critical importance of social interaction in alleviating this feeling of isolation. Across Australia, 15% of people experience social isolation and 16% feel lonely. However, among Defence families, particularly those who have lost a loved one to service, these numbers are significantly higher.

“Being a war widow can be a lonely and nuanced experience, shaped by the complexities of a life connected to the defence and service of Australia,” said Renee Wilson, CEO of the Families of Veterans Guild. “We saw during the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide that war widows and veteran families have often been silent pillars of strength for our country, sacrificing their own wellbeing while coping with the loss of their loved ones. As Australians, it is our duty to stand by them.”

The Families of Veterans Guild, formerly known as Australian War Widows NSW, has been supporting war widows for over 75 years. Founded by war widows for war widows, the Guild ensures that those connected to veteran families have access to support, recognition, and community. “It is both our privilege and responsibility to honour their sacrifices and ensure no war widow ever feels alone,” Wilson added.

Social isolation, particularly among war widows, can have severe effects on both mental and physical health. The recent NSW government’s inquiry into loneliness highlighted the broader societal issue, stressing the need for targeted solutions, especially for vulnerable groups like war widows.

NSW Premier Chris Minns commended the Families of Veterans Guild for its work, stating, “Veterans and their families make great sacrifices for our nation. The grief and isolation war widows face have lasting impacts, and their resilience deserves our recognition and support. I commend the Guild for raising awareness of social isolation on War Widows Day.”

Despite their resilience, many war widows continue to battle loneliness, a problem that could be mitigated with stronger community support and greater government action. While recognition and commemorative events are important, real progress requires sustained efforts from all levels of government to provide meaningful support to veteran families, including mental health services, social programs, and financial aid.

To mark War Widows Day, the Families of Veterans Guild is hosting several events and fundraisers nationwide, including:

• A commemorative service at Sydney’s Martin Place Cenotaph at 10:30 AM on 19 October 2024, open to war widows, veteran families, and the general public.
• Regional and rural commemorations organized by war widows or local service organizations.
• The “Buy a Widow a Coffee” campaign, supporting the Guild’s social clubs and events that help widows connect with others and combat isolation.
• The sale of limited-release wattle lapel pins, representing the resilience and strength of war widows, with proceeds supporting the Guild’s initiatives.

The Families of Veterans Guild encourages all Australians, even if they cannot attend an event or fundraiser, to reach out to the war widows in their lives. A simple act of spending time with them can have a profound impact on combating loneliness and reminding them that they are not alone.

This War Widows Day, let us not only remember the sacrifices made but also commit to supporting those who bear the weight of that sacrifice. With greater awareness, action, and government support, we can ensure that no war widow is left isolated or forgotten.

The Krakow Post

The Taliban’s Ministry for Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has announced a new law banning images of all living things, including humans and animals, across Afghanistan. This regulation, set to be enforced gradually, is expected to have a profound impact on the country’s media landscape, further restricting the freedom of the press and isolating the nation from the global community.

For journalists and media outlets in Afghanistan, this new law represents a significant hurdle. The ban on images will force broadcasters, newspapers, and online platforms to dramatically alter their content. The ability to provide accurate, detailed reporting on events may be hindered, as many reports rely on visual evidence to illustrate stories.

The ban could also prevent coverage of major developments, such as humanitarian crises or government actions, limiting the international community’s understanding of Afghanistan’s internal affairs. Media outlets, already operating under strict conditions, now face additional constraints that could silence dissenting voices and obscure the reality on the ground.

While the ministry has announced that the rule will be implemented gradually, journalists have already been informed that they must prepare for these changes. The phased approach indicates that the Taliban is likely assessing the response to its new law while testing the resilience of media organizations. However, no clear timeline for full enforcement has been given, leaving journalists in limbo.

This gradual enforcement may also be a strategic move by the Taliban to mitigate backlash, particularly from the international community, which has already expressed concerns over Afghanistan’s media freedom since the Taliban’s return to power.

The ban on images is yet another step in the Taliban’s broader effort to control the flow of information within Afghanistan. By curbing the media’s ability to share visual content, the regime is tightening its grip on how the public—and the world—perceives its rule. This measure is likely to further isolate Afghanistan, as international news agencies may struggle to report accurately without the use of images.

Moreover, this law raises pressing questions about the future of press freedom in Afghanistan, which continues to erode under Taliban rule. The ban is not just an attack on journalism; it is a stark reminder of the regime’s determination to maintain control by restricting freedom of expression and manipulating public perception.

Australian Defence Magazine (ADM – updated.

The 1st Armoured Regiment is set to test a modified version of the electric Protected Mobility Vehicle (ePMV) prototype as part of its new experimental role. This trial marks a key step forward in Army’s exploration of hybrid vehicle technologies aimed at modernizing its fleet.

Initially unveiled at the 2022 Chief of Army Symposium in Adelaide, the ePMV boasted a 113-kilowatt-hour battery. At that time, its main advantages were highlighted: a significantly lower thermal signature than the standard Bushmaster, the ability to operate silently for extended periods, and the capacity to export power easily. These features were seen as groundbreaking for improving operational flexibility and stealth capabilities.

However, the all-electric design came with limitations, most notably its range. The ePMV could only travel about a third of the distance of the standard Bushmaster and required deployable generators for recharging, which posed logistical challenges in the field.

To mitigate these drawbacks, the Army is now converting the ePMV into a hybrid diesel-electric configuration. This upgrade will enable the vehicle to achieve a range comparable to the standard Bushmaster PMV while maintaining a similar logistics footprint. The new hybrid configuration seeks to preserve the benefits of electrification, such as silent operation and reduced emissions, while addressing the range and recharging limitations.

“The Australian Army is working with Australian defence industry to upgrade its prototype electric Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle (ePMV) to a diesel-electric hybrid. This upgrade will provide the ePMV with a range comparable to the standard Bushmaster vehicle,” a Defence spokesperson told Australian Defence Magazine (ADM).

Once the hybrid-electric ePMV prototype is ready, the 1st Armoured Regiment will conduct field testing and evaluation. As the Army’s experimental unit, the regiment is responsible for assessing new technologies and operational concepts. However, details regarding the total cost of the program and future service plans for platforms based on the hybrid ePMV remain unclear, as Defence has not provided specific responses on these questions. The timeline for field testing is also yet to be disclosed.

This hybrid-electric vehicle project reflects the Army’s ongoing commitment to exploring innovative solutions that enhance capability while reducing environmental impact and improving battlefield efficiency.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) is processing claims at record levels as a consequence of the significant additional funding provided by the Government. DVA is focusing even more effort on processing outstanding claims as quickly as possible, which will get much needed help to veterans and families sooner.

As part of our commitment to routinely, publicly, and meaningfully reporting on claims processing progress, each month DVA releases updated data via the claims processing page.

A snapshot of September 2024:

• DVA received 7,845claims, compared to 6,509 in September 2023
• DVA made 7,704determinations, compared to 8,170 in September 2023
• 70,258claims were with an officer for processing and 9,373 claims were yet to be allocated for processing
• The average time taken to process a MRCA IL claim was 306days in the 2024-25 financial year to date (FYTD) (1 July 2024 to 30 September 2024), compared to 426 days in the corresponding 2023-24 FYTD.

Please contact us or an advocate if you have any questions about submitting a claim. More information about making a claim for a service-related condition and eligibility for benefits and payments is available on the DVA website.

Naval Warfare Post

Washington DC: Faced with the massive demands of the AUKUS submarine program and a planned doubling of the nation’s surface navy, Australia today announced a formal plan to develop a military shipyard and port complex in Western Australia. The project, valued at up to $20 billion, is expected to create up to 10,000 jobs. However, the funding so far remains modest, with only AUD $127 million (USD $85 million) allocated for a three-year planning and feasibility study, crucial to the nation’s long-term naval strategy.

At the heart of this ambitious development is a new “graving dock,” commonly known as a dry dock, which will likely be part of the HMAS Stirling base. Australia has not constructed a major dry dock since World War II, when the Captain Cook dock in Sydney took four years to complete. This new dock will be essential for servicing and maintaining the nuclear-powered attack submarines to be stationed at Stirling, and it may take inspiration from the $3.4 billion USD (AUD $5.9 billion) dry dock project currently under construction in Pearl Harbor, designed to support Virginia-class submarines for decades.

Rear Admiral Wendy Malcolm, who leads the Royal Australian Navy’s AUKUS infrastructure efforts, recently voiced urgency regarding this dry dock. She warned that unless critical work on the dry dock and adjacent shipyards begins soon, Australia’s ability to host, build, and maintain nuclear-powered submarines could be jeopardized.

The dock will be a key component of the broader expansion and consolidation of shipyards at HMAS Stirling, with US and UK nuclear submarines expected to begin rotations there from 2027. While a temporary floating dock might be leased in the meantime, it would not be able to provide the level of maintenance required for submarines over time.

Defence Minister Richard Marles called the expansion of the shipyards the most significant defence investment in Western Australia since its federation in 1901. The new defence hub will be located at the southern end of the Henderson shipyard, where new landing craft for the army and general-purpose frigates for the navy will also be constructed.

This project is politically significant as Western Australia is seen as a key battleground for the ruling Labor Party in the lead-up to the next election, which must be held by September next year. Opposition shadow defence minister Andrew Hastie, a representative from Western Australia, criticized the government’s commitment as insufficient, saying the $127 million allocation was “barely enough to get works underway” and accusing Labor of delaying vital defence projects.

Hastie further criticized the government for not keeping pace with inflation in its defence budget, while warning that any further delays could compromise the nation’s naval ambitions.

An image from the Australian government showing build-out plans for future naval docks. (Australian MoD)

A new chain gun for ground threats and drones. A new dual-feed Bushmaster chain gun is now in development. Breaking Defence connected with Northrop Grumman‘s John McCollum, Program Lead for the Bushmaster Chain Gun, to discuss how the chain gun addresses ground and aerial threats.

ED: From my inbox – Thanks Steve

The origins of 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2 RAR) trace back 79 years to the formation of the 66th Australian Infantry Battalion on 16 October 1945. This unit was part of the 34th Infantry Brigade, and its soldiers were largely volunteers from the 9th Division, who had seen combat in pivotal World War II battles, including Tobruk and El Alamein in North Africa, and in the Southwest Pacific campaigns. The battalion was first established at Labuan, British North Borneo, but soon relocated to the large Australian base at Morotai in the Netherlands East Indies, where it joined the 65th and 67th Battalions. One of the earliest sections to form was the battalion’s band.

In 1946, the battalion was transferred to Japan to serve as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) following Japan’s surrender. At this point, the battalion transitioned from being part of the 2nd Australian Imperial Force (AIF) to becoming part of the Interim Army, before being integrated into the Australian Regular Army—the beginnings of Australia’s modern professional army.

On 23 November 1948, the 65th, 66th, and 67th Battalions were redesignated as 1 AR, 2 AR, and 3 AR while still stationed in Japan. This date is celebrated as the Regimental Birthday. Shortly after, 1 AR and 2 AR returned to Australia. By the time 2 AR reached Puckapunyal, Victoria, only around 90 members remained in the battalion, and conditions were austere, with soldiers hunting rabbits to supplement their supplies. On 10 March 1949, the Australian Regiment received the Royal Assent, officially becoming the Royal Australian Regiment (RAR).

A unique aspect of 2 RAR’s history is the origin of its battalion march, “Ringo,” chosen from records brought back from the Occupation in Japan. When the Korean War broke out in 1950, many of 2 RAR’s soldiers were sent to reinforce 3 RAR, which was already deployed. During this time, 2 RAR also took on the vital role of training soldiers for Korea. In 1952, the battalion was aligned with the British Coldstream Guards, adopting their motto, “Nulli Secundus”—Latin for “Second to None,” which remains 2 RAR’s motto today.

As the battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment were formed, their colours were blue, red, and green. 2 RAR’s colour was red, and their flag featured a white “2.” Before the Korean War, 2 RAR informally adopted the colour black as a battalion tradition. Soldiers began wearing black scarves after hours, and black gaiters, while the battalion’s drums—originally red—remained black as a mark of respect after the death of King George VI. During the Korean War, the battalion’s black scarf became official, adorned with red diamonds and a “2” in the centre.

In Korea, 2 RAR distinguished itself in the Battle of “The Hook,” enduring over 4,500 rounds of enemy fire. For its actions, the battalion earned the battle honour “Samichon.” After the war, 2 RAR returned to Australia, being stationed at Enoggera Barracks, Brisbane, Queensland.

In 1955, 2 RAR deployed to Malaya for two years as part of the Malayan Emergency, the only conflict where Australian soldiers’ families were allowed to accompany them on active service. It was during this deployment in 1957 that 2 RAR officially adopted black as its colour. This tradition spread throughout the Australian Army, and now all Second Battalions bear black.

From 1961 to 1963, 2 RAR returned to Malaya, where it adopted the “Silver Soldier” as a symbolic part of the battalion. Upon returning to Australia, the battalion contributed soldiers to form 4 RAR and later helped form 6 RAR. During the Vietnam War, 2 RAR fought two year-long tours, losing its band after the first tour, before relocating to Townsville.

In 1973, 2 RAR was merged with 4 RAR to form 2/4 RAR, remaining linked until 1995. During this time, the battalion deployed troops to Malaysia, Rhodesia, Cambodia, Somalia, and Rwanda. Several enduring traditions originated during this period, such as the bearded sergeant, the Edgar Towner VC Club, and the Pipes and Drums.

Between 1995 and 2017, 2 RAR served as a light infantry battalion within 3 Brigade, deploying personnel on missions to East Timor, Iraq, Solomon Islands, and Afghanistan, among other locations. On 23 November 2017, 2 RAR was redesignated as 2 RAR (Amphib) and became a specialist amphibious battalion. This transformation marked its integration into the Australian Army’s Amphibious Task Force, where it continues to serve as a world-class pre-landing force.

Throughout its storied history, 2 RAR has remained true to its motto, “Second to None,” proudly upholding its heritage and traditions as a key element of the Australian Army.